The blight of Cronkeyshaw Common - again!

Date published: 16/04/2008

Residents living close to Cronkeyshaw Common are suffering what they say is an annual blight on their lives, the circus churning up the Common and causing a noise, as well as a visual nuisance, and also wrecking the common.

Arriving to set up at midnight earlier this week, the Chinese State Circus has taken over what for most of the year is a peaceful, tranquil expanse of grass used by the community for walking, playing football, etc. and residents want to know why the Council allows the nuisance and damage this causes.

A spokesman for residens, Dave Reynolds, said: "The noise they have generated is unbearable, as there is a constant humming of the generators. But worst of all is the damage they have caused. Their lorries have churned up our beautiful common - as they do every year! When they leave, the Common looks a total eyesore.

"I'm disgusted that the council allows this. If I went on a rampage and churned up the common, I would find myself being handed a prison sentence! Not only that, they have tapped into the water mains on the pavement. Now I have a problem with this in particular, as I along with most other local residents have a water meter - so I pay for what I use, so why are they allowed to get it free of charge?

"I'm not a Victor Meldrew, but they cause us a nightmare every year. Time for it to stop!''

Dave Woolrich, Events Planning, Allotments and Community Liaison Officer for Rochdale Council said: "It was agreed last year that no more than three events per year would be organised on Cronkeyshaw Common. This combined circus and fair is one of the scheduled three. In the agreement it is the responsibility of the organisers to reinstate the land - or we undertake the clean up and charge the organisers."